The Veneers Procedure

Porcelain veneers are designed to enhance the appearance of your smile using extremely thin layers of porcelain applied the front surface of the teeth. Whether your teeth are affected by stains, chips, gaps, or misalignment, veneers can revitalize your smile by effectively concealing these imperfections. Porcelain veneers can instantly reshape, resize, or lengthen the teeth, and the shade of each veneer is customized for the individual. Since each porcelain veneer is custom-made to blend flawlessly with the rest of your smile, the results of this procedure can be exceptionally natural-looking and beautiful. The treatment offers many benefits: the veneers procedure is often rather easy, virtually painless for many patients, and one of the fastest methods of dramatically transforming your smile.

TREATMENT PLANNING/SMILE DESIGN

During the consultation process for porcelain veneers, Dr. Sands will perform an oral exam, discuss your expectations, and help you decide if veneers are best suited for your needs. Dr. Sands invests time in the consultation process to better ensure that all of his patients know what to expect and are satisfied with the final outcome of the procedure. Since porcelain veneers are custom-made, he also focuses on clear doctor-patient communication to achieve the aesthetic results each patient desires. Dr. Sands believes porcelain veneers are an investment that can last decades, and makes every effort to make sure his patients feel comfortable and confident in their decision to proceed with the treatment.

If Dr. Sands determines that you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers, he will then create a custom-tailored treatment plan designed for your unique needs. The exact details of your treatment will depend on the type of veneers Dr. Sands recommends to achieve your goals. In most cases, Dr. Sands designs a treatment plan that can effectively address your concerns and can typically be completed in as little as two visits.

PREPARATION

For standard porcelain veneer procedures, Dr. Sands will prepare your teeth by expertly removing a very small portion of tooth enamel from the surface. Since preparation techniques and ceramic materials have advanced in recent years, Dr. Sands can retain much of the natural tooth structure which greatly reduces treatment time and the potential for any discomfort. Next, Dr. Sands will take an impression of the treatment area to ensure the best fit possible. Once the impression is complete, he will send it to an accredited dental laboratory to create your custom veneers.

TEMPORARIES

While the permanent veneers are being made, Dr. Sands will provide temporary veneers so you can become accustomed to their feel, size, and appearance. This also gives Dr. Sands the opportunity to analyze the shape, length, color shade, and alignment of the teeth to make sure the veneers are an accurate, natural-looking fit and an optimal color that blends well with surrounding teeth. These temporary veneers also allow you to “try on” your new smile, and give Dr. Sands an opportunity to make final adjustments to the size and shape of your permanent veneers before they are bonded into place. Any modifications to the final veneers based off of the temporaries are communicated to the ceramist so that your ultimate results can fully meet your expectations.

BONDING / CEMENTING

In the final stage of the process, Dr. Sands will first remove your temporary veneers and disinfect the teeth before the bonding process begins. After making sure the permanent veneers fit comfortably and with precision, Dr. Sands will then cement the veneers onto the front side of each tooth. The bonding material is designed to be incredibly durable, which should yield very long-lasting results for the veneers. In fact, with proper care, many patients enjoy their veneers for decades. Once Dr. Sands has affixed the veneers to your teeth and given them a final polish, the treatment process is complete.

CARING FOR YOUR VENEERS

Porcelain veneers and the bonding material used to affix them to the teeth are both designed to be incredibly strong and stain-resistant. However, veneers are not indestructible and there are certain precautions patients can take to prolong the lifespan of their veneers. Patients should brush, floss, and rinse regularly and schedule twice-yearly oral exams to maintain the best results. For patients who clench or grind their teeth at night, a simple oral appliance can prevent undue damage from occurring during sleep. Patients with porcelain veneers may also wish to avoid exceptionally hard foods to minimize the risk of fracturing a veneer. With a little bit of extra care, patients should be able to enjoy their new, beautiful smile for decades to come.

CONTACT DR. KEVIN SANDS

For more information on dental veneers, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sands, please contact us today.